“The Tullibardine distillery sits on the site of Scotland’s first ever brewery, a purveyor of the BEER enjoying the royal patronage of King James IV after his coronation in 1488. This remarkable Tullibardine 1488 Whisky Beer is brewed with the crystal spring water and malted barley used in the distillation process. It is conditioned in individually numbered oak casks which have been used in the maturation of the majestic Tullibardine single malt Scotch Whisky, it’s distinctive character beautifully balanced by the lightness of touch so familiar to Tullibardine connoisseurs the world over. This truly majestic BEER is best served chilled and enjoyed slowly.

1) Blonde Ale, 4% ABV

My Notes:

My Rating: B-

Why I like it: good complexity for a 4% beer

Where I got it: Brewery Creek, 2010

How much: ~$6, 500ml

Do I love this enough to drink it again: No

Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours slightly cloudy cherry wood red, smallish head, micro CO2, ringed retention, a bit of sticky lacing, varied slow-moving CO2 streams, lees at bottom of the glass. Some citrus fruity malts and caramel on the nose. 1st sip is sickly 9/10 sweet. Next few sips drinks tangy 4/10 sour up front, transitions into lightly malted 7/10 sweet carbonated caramel and sour cherries, finishing off-dry oaky bitter. Carbonation is not exactly creamy but more like tingly and is active throughout. One thing that I don’t particularly like is the hint of barnyard/puke-flavour right at the start mixed with sourness. Medium complexity, medium depth, medium-long length, good transitions, good carry, very drinkable. Well-done on a surprisingly low ABV beer.

“Each bottle of this Belgian-inspired ale is laden with 1/2 pound of Morello sour cherries, which pack an orchard’s share of flavor! This beer’s high alcohol content will ensure successful ageing [sic] for those interested, but don’t deny yourself the pleasure of this beer fresh!”

“Pangaea is the name of the super continent. Before the land masses separated we were all just one happy family. Our Pangaea has a hint of ginger and great complexity, celebrating our communal history. Best drunk cool not cold from a snifter or wine glass. Think globally. Drink globally. Ages with the best of ‘em.”

Urbock 23 – Schloss Eggenberg, 9.6% ABV, (Austria) (listed in the “1001 Beers you must try before you die”)

Urbock 23 – Schloss Eggenberg, 9.6% ABV, (Austria) (listed in the “1001 Beers you must try before you die”)

On the back label:

“Urbock 23 is one of the strongest beers in the world, with 23 plato attaining 9.6% alc./vol. It matures in our ancient cellars for 9 months, till it is fully fermented and turns amber in colour. Urbock 23 is full-bodied, with a creamy flavour, well balanced with noble hop bitterness. Urbock 23 is known in many countries as the ‘Cognac of beers’”

My Notes:

My Rating: B-

Why I like it: full-bodied and honey-esque

Where I got it: Brewery Creek, Jan-2012

How much: $4.50 (after 10% disc.)

Do I love this enough to drink it again: No

Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours golden orange, minimal dissipating head, ultra-micro CO2, thin ringed retention, sporadic slow-moving CO2 streams. Heavy malted barley and thick honey on the nose. Creamy 8/10 sweet up front mixed with honey, chamomile, alcohol burn, and a very tingly CO2 sensation on the top of the tongue. Finishes very alcohol heavy and a gentle deep 6/10 lingering bitterness. Medium-high depth, medium complexity, good transitions, long length. The sweetness and high ABV are off-putting halfway through the session.

“Voila! A beer inspired by the Rauchbier you find in Bamberg, Germany. A dark beer made partly from smoked malt unique to this region, aged slowly at low temperatures, and put in the bottle unfiltered, with a fine yeast sediment.”

“This brown lager offers sweet citrus flavors that arise from a selection of thirteen Queb3ec malts from barley, wheat, oats, and rye. It’s bouquet is caused by a blend of Saaz Czech hops, coriander seed and bitter orange peel. The result is a wonderful festive beer!”

My Notes:

My Rating: B+

Why I like: fruity and firm

Where I got it: W. 16th (?), Feb-2012

How much: $8.20 (after 10%), 750ml

Do I love this enough to drink it again: No

Would I recommend this to beer afficianados: Yes

Tasting Notes: pours red-orange-brown, small dissipating head, large and small CO2, very active CO2 streams, slippery lacing. Orange hops on the nose, much like an IPA. Lots of fruity orange up front, balanced dryness in the mid, a bit of orange blossom, coriander near the end, 4/10 sweetness, 4/10 bitterness in the form of orange peels, silky mouthfeel. Medium complexity, medium depth, great transitions, good carry, excellent balance of sweet, fruity, bitter, hoppy, and refreshing. Finishes creamy.

3) Weizenbock Grand Cuvée Hiver 2010, 11% ABV

On the label:

“A winter brew inspired by the best of Germany’s strong beers, this Weizenbock is a rich libation which will seduce you with its lush aromas. Its succulent body and flavors reminiscent of candied fruit will be a fine companion to your cozy evenings.”

“Just like the dinosaurs this barley wine was ice-aged at glacial temperatures. Throughout the fermentacious period water underwent a chrystaline phase transition which distilled the remaining liquid into a naturally-sweetened nectar of caramel flavour. Being an archaealcohologist never tasted so good.”